I still continue to use bulkhead fittings in all of my rain barrels. They are simple to install and work every time.
I have discovered that many people use these fittings in other things such as aquariums, pond liners and farm tanks. The availability of an affordable bulkhead fitting has left may people to design their own out of PVC parts from the local home improvement store. Sometimes they work and sometimes you end up with more caulk than PVC.
I found a great USA manufacturer and now offer bulkhead fittings in many sizes including: 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1-1/4", 1-1/2", 2" and 3". These are all made out of polypropylene and are threaded to accept pipe thread (NPT) in those corresponding sizes. As of now I do not carry bulkhead fittings with interior slip threads.
If you need a watertight seal, do it right. You might save $1-$2 buying your own caulk, glue, PVC, washers, etc. and then gamble on whether it will truly seal the hole on your barrel. You really need something that will stand the test of time.
You can see all the fittings here: www.AtlantaRainBarrels.com
Showing posts with label atlanta rain barrels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label atlanta rain barrels. Show all posts
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, March 10, 2008
Decorative and Painted Rain Barrels
When I first started making rain barrels, I really didn't think much about the way they looked. The rain barrels were for my personal use and I was putting them in my backyard where they were basically hidden.
As I started selling the rain barrels through the Atlanta Rain Barrels website I began receiving questions about the color of the barrels. Usually it was something like, "Do you have any other colors besides blue?" I had to say "no". Now I can say "yes".
The standard 55 gallon rain barrel no longer has to be an eyesore. Now my painted rain barrels can add a decorative touch to your landscaping or can be painted to more closely match your home's color. My website now has standard color rain barrels and three colors of painted rain barrels.
Would you like to know how to paint a rain barrel? Painting a rain barrel is an easy way to add that custom look to your yard and is a great way to display your rainwater recycling center.
First, select your paint color. The best paint I have found is a spray paint called Fusion, made by Krylon. It is made specifically for plastic. There are many colors available and it is readily available at places like Wal Mart, Lowe's and Home Depot. A standard 55 gallon rain barrel will use about two cans.
Second, prep your barrel. Since most 55 gallon drums have been recycled they have some sort of label residue, grease or other substance on the outside. I use denatured alcohol and completely rub down the exterior of the barrel.
Finally, find a suitable location and spray. Follow the directions on the can and plan on three or four coats of paint to completely cover the barrel.
When you are done painting, let your newly painted rain barrel sit for a day or so so the paint can harden. If the paint chips because the barrel bumps into something while you are moving it, no problem. The best thing to do is move the barrel to its final spot and touch up the paint after it is in place using some of the left over spray paint.
Rain barrels are fun, useful and now...decorative!
For more information, contact me through the website: www.AtlantaRainBarrels.com
As I started selling the rain barrels through the Atlanta Rain Barrels website I began receiving questions about the color of the barrels. Usually it was something like, "Do you have any other colors besides blue?" I had to say "no". Now I can say "yes".
The standard 55 gallon rain barrel no longer has to be an eyesore. Now my painted rain barrels can add a decorative touch to your landscaping or can be painted to more closely match your home's color. My website now has standard color rain barrels and three colors of painted rain barrels.
Would you like to know how to paint a rain barrel? Painting a rain barrel is an easy way to add that custom look to your yard and is a great way to display your rainwater recycling center.
First, select your paint color. The best paint I have found is a spray paint called Fusion, made by Krylon. It is made specifically for plastic. There are many colors available and it is readily available at places like Wal Mart, Lowe's and Home Depot. A standard 55 gallon rain barrel will use about two cans.
Second, prep your barrel. Since most 55 gallon drums have been recycled they have some sort of label residue, grease or other substance on the outside. I use denatured alcohol and completely rub down the exterior of the barrel.
Finally, find a suitable location and spray. Follow the directions on the can and plan on three or four coats of paint to completely cover the barrel.
When you are done painting, let your newly painted rain barrel sit for a day or so so the paint can harden. If the paint chips because the barrel bumps into something while you are moving it, no problem. The best thing to do is move the barrel to its final spot and touch up the paint after it is in place using some of the left over spray paint.
Rain barrels are fun, useful and now...decorative!
For more information, contact me through the website: www.AtlantaRainBarrels.com
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Water Conservation
The summer of 2007 was particularly hard on Atlanta and all of the southeastern United States due to a drought. Many cities around Georgia enacted total outdoor watering bans. Lawns suffered, gardens went to weed and people started watering their outdoor plants with gray water from their washing machines or bath tubs.
Honestly, except for the grass getting brown, I haven't really noticed a difference in my life. I already take short showers and have low flow toilets and water saving shower heads. As long as water still comes out of my faucet when I turn it on I probably won't do much else to conserve. Like gas prices, the price of water really hasn't reached a point where most people care about how much they use.
What did I do? Toward the end of last summer I started making rain barrels. I started by installing one next to our back patio. A few days later it rained for about 30 minutes. It wasn't a huge downpour. I would just call it a nice, steady rain. Before that rain was over my rain barrel had completely filled and was overflowing. My wife was happy. She was able to keep watering her outdoor plants without worrying about the water police coming around.
Did you know that 1/2" of rain on a 1000 square foot roof sends 300 gallons of water through your gutters? I had no idea!
After that first rain, I was hooked. I bought two more barrels, converted them to rain barrels and put them up under another backyard downspout. After those barrels I made a few more for some friends, and then a few more, and then a few more. I found that most people really do want to conserve water, they just don't know how easy it really is.
The 55 gallon drums are so expensive to ship, it is hardly worth the price. Even local distributors charge a small fortune for a used barrel with some hardware fittings put on it...and most don't really care if it is functional. I experimented with a few different designs and have come up with one I am very happy with. It is cost effective and does not require any type of gutter covers.
I now list my extra rain barrels on Craigslist and on my website: www.AtlantaRainBarrels.com . I make a little money on each barrel but I really do feel good when I make them. The people I meet are so happy to have a small solution to their watering needs.
I am happy to share some pointers with you if you are interested in making your own rain barrel. It's easy. Your plants will thank you.
Honestly, except for the grass getting brown, I haven't really noticed a difference in my life. I already take short showers and have low flow toilets and water saving shower heads. As long as water still comes out of my faucet when I turn it on I probably won't do much else to conserve. Like gas prices, the price of water really hasn't reached a point where most people care about how much they use.
What did I do? Toward the end of last summer I started making rain barrels. I started by installing one next to our back patio. A few days later it rained for about 30 minutes. It wasn't a huge downpour. I would just call it a nice, steady rain. Before that rain was over my rain barrel had completely filled and was overflowing. My wife was happy. She was able to keep watering her outdoor plants without worrying about the water police coming around.
Did you know that 1/2" of rain on a 1000 square foot roof sends 300 gallons of water through your gutters? I had no idea!
After that first rain, I was hooked. I bought two more barrels, converted them to rain barrels and put them up under another backyard downspout. After those barrels I made a few more for some friends, and then a few more, and then a few more. I found that most people really do want to conserve water, they just don't know how easy it really is.
The 55 gallon drums are so expensive to ship, it is hardly worth the price. Even local distributors charge a small fortune for a used barrel with some hardware fittings put on it...and most don't really care if it is functional. I experimented with a few different designs and have come up with one I am very happy with. It is cost effective and does not require any type of gutter covers.
I now list my extra rain barrels on Craigslist and on my website: www.AtlantaRainBarrels.com . I make a little money on each barrel but I really do feel good when I make them. The people I meet are so happy to have a small solution to their watering needs.
I am happy to share some pointers with you if you are interested in making your own rain barrel. It's easy. Your plants will thank you.
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